Investigation Summary
The flight encountered severe fog at Heathrow, with visibility reported as low as 50 meters, well below standard operating minimums. Despite this, the captain was encouraged to make a third attempt after hearing that another Vanguard had successfully landed. During the final go-around, the co-pilot rotated the aircraft steeply. The investigation found that the crew likely suffered from spatial disorientation or 'pilot fatigue and anxiety' due to the repeated high-stress approaches in near-zero visibility. A critical procedural error occurred when the flaps were retracted from 40 degrees to 20 degrees while the aircraft was still at a low airspeed and high pitch angle, leading to a loss of lift and a steep descent into the ground.
Final Conclusions
The crash was attributed to pilot error during a missed approach in low visibility. Contributing factors included fatigue, the psychological pressure to land following another aircraft's success, and incorrect flap selection during the overshoot. The aircraft struck the runway 2,600 feet from the threshold, somersaulted, and burst into flames.
Video Analysis
British European Airways (BEA) Flight 706 Aftermath Footage | 27 October 1965 London Heathrow — Historical newsreel footage and analysis of the 1965 Vickers Vanguard crash at Heathrow, including contemporary interviews regarding pilot responsibility in fog.
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Systems & Failure Modes
Precision Approach Radar (PAR)
A radar system used to 'talk down' pilots by providing precise lateral and vertical guidance during low-visibility approaches.
Flap Control System
During the final overshoot, the flaps were retracted from 40° to 20°, which contributed to the loss of lift at a critical moment.
Interesting Facts
- 01The aircraft somersaulted for approximately 500 yards down the runway after the tail struck the ground.
- 02Visibility at the time of the crash was reported to be less than 50 meters.
- 03The accident was the first fatal crash involving a BEA Vickers Vanguard in five years of service.
- 04Actor Brian Cox had originally purchased a ticket for this flight but did not board because his meeting was cancelled.
Safety Actions & Advisories
Automatic Landing Development
The accident accelerated the development and implementation of automatic landing systems, such as the 'autoflare' system used on BEA Tridents. This technology was designed to allow aircraft to land safely in thick fog by electronically controlling the flare and touchdown, reducing the reliance on pilot visual cues during low-visibility conditions.